Torrington Gop Fills Its Slate

TORRINGTON — The city's former deputy fire chief has announced he'll run for city council.

Bob Thomson, who served as a firefighter for 35 years -- the last five as deputy chief -- will round out the Republicans' projected city council slate.

Thomson joins incumbents Susan F. Cogswell and Tom Scoville and newcomer James A. Reginatto, a local cobbler who announced his candidacy Tuesday. The expected Republican candidate for mayor is board of public safety member Richard K. Purcell.

The Republicans now hold two of six seats on the city council.

The Republican town committee will formally endorse its candidates during a meeting scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Yankee Pedlar Inn. Democrats will conduct their caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dick's Restaurant on East Main Street.

Key issues for the city include development and controlling city spending, Thomson said.

``We need a long-term positive development and spending plan that will not over-burden the taxpayers,'' he said. ``A new industrial park is needed to encourage business to expand and stay in the city.''

Since retiring in 1996, Thomson, 58, has done volunteer work. He is a past exalted ruler, or president, of Torrington Elks Lodge No. 372, and now serves in a variety of posts with the Elks. He also serves as president of the Torrington Municipal and Teachers Federal Credit Union.

``After 35 years of public service I felt that my experience would help run city government,'' he said Thursday.

Before his promotion to deputy fire chief in 1991, Thomson served the fire department as a lieutenant from 1983 to 1991. From 1963 to 1991 he was a regular firefighter. From 1961 to 1963 he was a call man, meaning he filled in when regular firefighters were not available and assisted at large fires.